Reykjavík to Westman Islands Drive: Keflavík Car Hire Guide

The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) sit just off Iceland’s south coast and pack volcanic craters, basalt sea stacks, and the world’s largest Atlantic-puffin colony into a cluster of 15 small isles. Because scheduled buses rarely align with ferry crossings, the easiest and most flexible way to visit Heimaey, the only inhabited island, is to hire a car at Keflavík Airport, drive to Landeyjahöfn harbour, and take the short ferry across. With a well-equipped vehicle from Blue Car Rental, you control your timetable, stop at waterfalls en route, and explore every corner of the island once you arrive.

Why start with Keflavik car hire?

Most travellers land at KEF airport, 50 km from Reykjavík. By collecting your vehicle immediately, you skip airport shuttles, save on transfers, and have luggage space for hiking boots, camera gear, and warm layers (see our checklist on what to wear in Iceland with a rental car). Blue Car Rental’s desk is moments from arrivals; if you prefer a contact-free pickup, follow our guide to navigating Keflavík Airport car rentals and use online check-in plus key-box collection.

From the airport it’s a smooth 90-minute drive on Route 1 to Landeyjahöfn. If you’re staying in the capital first, the trip is still easy—our tips for driving from Keflavík to Reykjavík cover tolls, fuel stops, and speed limits.

Getting to the islands: Ferry logistics

• Route: Landeyjahöfn ⇢ Heimaey
  
  
• Crossing time: 35 minutes
  
  
• Frequency: Up to 7 sailings daily in summer; reduced winter schedule
  
  
• Vehicle tickets: Reserve in advance—spaces for cars sell out quickly in peak season
  
  

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; the crew directs vehicles onboard in size order. In rough seas the ferry may shift to Þorlákshöfn, extending the crossing to 3 hours, so build margin into your itinerary.

Top things to see and do on Heimaey

1. Eldfell Volcano & The 1973 Eruption Trail

A 20-minute climb up red-cinder slopes rewards you with panoramic views of Heimaey, neighbouring islands, and the mainland ice caps. Interpretive signs recount the 1973 eruption that forced an overnight evacuation and enlarged the island by 2 km².

2. Stórhöfði Puffin Colony

Nicknamed “the windiest place in Europe,” Stórhöfði headland hosts millions of puffins from May to August. View the burrows from the sheltered hut and practise responsible birdwatching etiquette—our complete puffin-spotting guide explains viewing distances and camera settings.

3. Beluga Whale & Puffin Sanctuary

The Sea Life Trust’s sanctuary shelters two rescued belugas in a natural bay and rehabilitates injured seabirds. Pre-book a boat tour for a closer look at “Little Grey” and “Little White.”

4. Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)

Wave erosion sculpted a basalt ridge into an uncanny elephant-shaped sea stack on Heimaey’s western shore. Read the backstory in our post on seeing the amazing Elephant Rock, then follow the gravel track from Herjólfsdalur campsite for the best angle.

5. Westman Islands Golf Course

Tee off between lava cliffs and the Atlantic surf—ranked among the world’s most scenic 18-hole courses. Clubs and carts are available for hire on-site.

Sample one-day self-drive itinerary

With two days you can slow down, add a rib-boat tour around the outer islands, or include a side trip to iconic mainland sights such as Skógafoss and the Sólheimasandur plane wreck.

Scenic stops on the drive to Landeyjahöfn

One of the biggest advantages of collecting your vehicle at Keflavík Airport is the freedom to transform a simple transfer into a day of sightseeing along Iceland’s legendary South Coast. The 150-kilometre stretch between Reykjavík and the ferry port packs in some of the country’s most photogenic locations—each one easily accessed from the Ring Road and manageable on a flexible timetable.

Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls
Barely an hour from the airport, you’ll meet Seljalandsfoss—the waterfall you can walk behind—followed twenty minutes later by the thundering curtain of Skógafoss. Both are featured in our roundup of top Icelandic waterfalls accessible by rental car and make perfect leg-stretch stops before or after the long flight.

Dyrhólaey Peninsula
Continue east and you’ll reach the turn-off to Dyrhólaey, a windswept headland crowned by a lighthouse and a spectacular rock arch. Puffins nest here in summer, and the upper viewpoint serves up 360-degree views of glaciers, sea stacks, and endless black-sand shoreline. If time allows, follow our complete self-drive guide to Dyrhólaey for road tips and photo advice.

Reynisfjara Black-Sand Beach
Just ten kilometres farther lies Reynisfjara—a beach of jet-black basalt sand, hexagonal column cliffs, and the dramatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the surf. Safety signage is essential reading here; waves can be unpredictable. Our in-depth post on Iceland’s top black-sand beach explains how to enjoy the area responsibly.

If You Have Extra Days—Jökulsárlón and Beyond
Travellers with a spare day often push past the ferry port after their island visit, continuing east toward Vatnajökull National Park. Highlights such as Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, Skaftafell’s glacier tongues, and the glowing icebergs of Jökulsárlón Lagoon await, all detailed in our guide to top South-Coast stops around Jökulsárlón.

The Freedom of a Personal Itinerary

Having your own rental car turns the journey itself into part of the adventure. If the weather looks moody at Seljalandsfoss, simply drive on and loop back later in better light. Should Reynisfjara be crowded at midday, visit Dyrhólaey first and return at sunset when the basalt columns glow gold. Spontaneous detours to a turf-roof café, a hidden hot spring, or a photo stop at a roadside herd of Icelandic horses—are all possible because you control the keys and the clock.

Blue Car Rental’s unlimited-mileage policy means you’ll never second-guess an extra side road, while our full insurance packages and 24/7 support provide confidence to roam. Whether you’re a photographer chasing perfect conditions, a family stretching toddler nap windows, or a wildlife enthusiast plotting bird-watching hides, a self-drive route lets you design a timetable that tour buses can’t match.

Wildlife beyond Heimaey

If the Westman Islands whet your appetite for Icelandic fauna, extend your road trip north to photograph harbour seals at the Vatnsnes Peninsula or the dragon-shaped Hvítserkur sea stack. Our travellers’ favourite routes appear in Exploring Iceland’s Wildlife with a Rental Car, and bird-lovers can plan additional stops with our in-depth bird-watching guide.

Practical tips for a smooth road trip

Book ferries early. Summer sailings fill fast, especially for vehicles.
Pack layers and waterproofs. Island weather shifts quickly—gusty headlands can drop 10 °C compared with sheltered streets.
Drive cautiously on narrow lanes. Single-lane roads loop around Heimaey’s perimeter; yield to oncoming traffic at widenings.
Respect nesting areas. Arctic terns defend their territory—carry a hat and move calmly if they swoop.

Why hire with Blue Car Rental?

Blue Car Rental combines airport convenience, transparent pricing, and a Zero Worries policy that includes unlimited mileage and no hidden fees. Over 85 percent of our customers upgrade to premium insurance, which reduces excess to zero and adds a roadside-assistance waiver—ideal peace of mind when catching a last-ferry deadline. Complete our online check-in before departure and collect keys using a wallet pass in minutes. If you need any assistance before or after you arrive in Iceland, our team is on call 24/7 if you have questions or need route advice.

Conclusion

The Westman Islands blend volcanic drama, rich seabird life, and small-town Icelandic hospitality, yet they remain a quick, simple detour from the Ring Road. By picking up your rental car at Keflavík, you unlock a seamless route to Landeyjahöfn, the freedom to explore Heimaey on your own schedule, and the flexibility to fold puffin colonies, black-sand coastlines, and other South-Coast icons into one unforgettable trip. Reserve your car with Blue Car Rental today and let the adventure begin at the very first turn of the key.

If you like to explore more for your self-guided car hire tour to Vestmannaeyjar feel free to visit: visitwestmanislands.com